Well-Known Film Actor Will Revive the Character Telly Savalas Made Famous in ‘Kojak’

Universal, which is picking up momentum with its remake of the 1970s TV detective series "Kojak," has found its lead actor. Vin Diesel will take on the role — and suck the lollipop — made famous by Telly Savalas, reports Deadline.com.

The writers of the new hit James Bond film "Skyfall," Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, will pen the script for the new feature film version.

"Kojak" began as a hit 1973 TV movie called "The Marcus-Nelson Murders," but was quickly turned into a series that starred Savalas as Lt. Theo Kojak, a New York City Police detective. Oscar-winning writer Abby Mann created the telefilm and CBS series.